Silent retreat - September 6 to 8

The practice of silence is an essential element of Zen spiritual retreats. It helps to calm the mind. It's a silence of words, but also of eyes and gestures, so that the senses can return to a simpler way of functioning.

This sesshin is an opportunity to practise this silence for three days. After half a day of partial silence, the silence is completely installed.

The silent sesshin will take place from September 6 to 8.

Arrival on Thursday, September 5 at 5 p.m., departure on Sunday, September 8 after lunch and tidying up (around 2 p.m.).

Sesshins are open to all, beginners and advanced alike. They are an opportunity for everyone to fully immerse themselves in the heart of Sôtô Zen, experiencing a practice handed down through the centuries and permeating every aspect of daily life.

These sesshins comprise 4 sessions of zazen - seated meditation - per day. There will also be the samu (voluntary community service), silent meals and ceremonies.

Master Wang-Genh, the monastery's abbot, will give teachings on the specifics of Zen meditation and on Zen Buddhism. Questions can be put to him in individual talks - dokusan - or in assembly - mondo.